This causes concern for not only local and state leaders but also for churches trying to keep their places of worship safe for their congregations.
New cases.
As cases continue to surge in lane county -- we're seeing more*faith-based outbreaks.
This causes concern for not only health officials -- but church leaders who are struggling to keep their places of worship --*safe.
Kezi 9 news reporter kennedy dendy spoke with one local pastor -- about if keeping his doors*open -- is worth the risk.
75 active outbreaks are being monitored across lane county.
And 525 cases -- have come from them.
They're happening -- in the workplace -- the college age group -- and places of worship.
So -- the real question is -- should places like churches stay open?
Some would argue that its needed.
Joe: "they are being cared for.
That they feel that god is with them."
Joe baumgarten is the pastor at grace luthern church.
They've been open since they got the green light from health officials back in may.
Joe: "it can be done."
But -- with growing concerns as cases continue to grow in places like this -- others are rethinking their plans.
Joe: "the thing is to really evaluate what space you have and what are the safe ways to use the space that you have."
But health officials are on high alert.
Davis: "the message there really is for those faith leaders and individuals who are practicing to make sure if you're going to do that and do that in a congregate setting that you observe the distancing that we're asking you to observe that is six feet or more."
Bridge: here at grace lutheran church services&.are by appointment only.
Because i'm told safety will be made a priority.
Only 15 people can attend each service.
And there's no singing or shaking hands either.
Joe: "we still have quite a few of our members who are in the high risk category and they're staying home.
They're choosing to watch sermons online."
Part of lane county being added to governor brown's watch list means a "faith liaison" from the oregon health authority will be helping monitor faith-based groups.
Joe: "for a lot of people it's a really big social event to come out of their houses for once a week or twice a week to come and see everybody."
Which is why he says -- he's prepared to make changes or close their doors -- if need be.
Reporting in eugene kennedy dendy kezi
More Kentuckians have died in October than any other month of the pandemic.
